DISCHARGE AND A&E WAITING TIMES IMPROVEMENTS WELCOMED

DISCHARGE AND A&E WAITING TIMES IMPROVEMENTS WELCOMED

As the BBC do not like to share the good news stories about the Scottish NHS, we thought we would share this press release with you.

SNP MSP Bob Doris has today welcomed new figures showing the number of beds occupied by delayed discharge has fallen to its lowest level since 2013.

Today’s figures from ISD Scotland show a reduction of nine per cent in May 2015 – or nearly 5,000 bed days – when compared to the same month last year.

The data also shows improvements in Accident & Emergency waiting times have been sustained in the week ending 19 July – with 95.2 % of patients seen and subsequently admitted, transferred or discharged within four hours at core A&E departments.

Commenting, SNP MSP Bob Doris said:

“Scotland’s NHS staff do an incredible job for which we should all be thankful for – and these figures showing further reductions in delayed discharge Scotland are very welcome indeed.

“May saw the lowest number of beds occupied by delayed discharge patients since 2013 – with 5,000 fewer bed days lost compared to the same period last year.

“Today’s figures also show real improvements in Accident & Emergency waiting times and the Scottish Government’s commitment to publishing weekly waiting times – compared to the NHS in England where they have moved to monthly waiting time figures – is clear evidence of the ongoing effort to drive up performance north of the border.

“However there is no room for complacency; much more needs to be and will be done.

“That is why the SNP’s commitment to our health service is second to none – investing an additional £383m in frontline health spending in 2015/16, meaning Scottish health spending will now be above £12bn for the first time ever.

“This commitment includes a move to discharging more patients within 72 hours of being ready for discharge and a reduction in associated bed days.

“This real commitment the Scottish Government has demonstrated to protecting and improving the health service is exactly far more people in Scotland trust the SNP with our NHS than any other party.

“The SNP will never be complacent with our health service because we know there are always challenges and there is always more which can be done to support patients and staff– but today’s figures show that the Scottish Government’s investment in our NHS is continuing to deliver real results.”